Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

I don’t know if this is in a textbook somewhere or not, but James 4 reads like a master class in a persuasive presentation. He starts with the problem: our disordered desires. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (4:1). He names what we’d rather ignore—that much of our conflict with others flows out of the chaos within. Pride. Envy. Restless cravings that pull us from God and into fights with one another. 

Then comes the pivot: “But he gives more grace.” (4:6). I love that phrase. Just when James has us pinned against the wall, exposed for our selfishness and divided hearts, grace bursts through the door. Not less grace. Not grudging grace. More grace. God stands opposed to the proud, but He draws near to the humble. 

Which leads us to the promises that inspire: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (4:8). That’s breathtaking to me. Don’t forget we are talking about God, who created everything with a word. God, who holds all life in the palm of His hand. We are talking about the King of kings and Lord of lords. That God sees the mess of my desires and doesn’t keep His distance. He invites me closer! Every step I take toward Him is met with His steps toward me. I can’t help but think about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The father in that story didn’t wait for him from a distance. He took off running and met his boy on the road. What a promise! 

Finally, James lands with the practical: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.” (4:11). After everything he’s said about conflict, humility, and grace, James brings it right back to the words I use. Here is where we see the thread that is being woven all throughout this letter. In chapter 2, he showed us how partiality distorts the gospel. Then we saw in chapter 3 how words can bless or destroy. Now James says if I’m truly drawing near to God, it will show up in the way I speak about others. Faith that works doesn’t gossip, slander, or judge. It lets mercy win. It leaves judgment to God alone, the true Lawgiver and Judge. 

Faith that works faces the problem of selfish desires honestly, clings to the surprising interruption of God’s grace, rests in the promises of His nearness, and proves itself in the practical way we speak and live toward others. Drawing near to God isn’t vague spirituality. It’s humility that receives His grace and transforms how we treat the people right in front of us. 

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” His presence reshapes everything.  

 Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

James Weekly Verse Challenge

Want to go beyond just reading God's Word? Want to take action? As we study the Book of James in the "Faith That Works" message series, we encourage you to do more than read the theme verse. Each week, we challenge you to memorize the verse and put it into action. Beginning Monday, October 6, we will text the weekly verse on a downloadable wallpaper on Monday mornings. Download the mobile wallpaper to your phone and memorize the weekly verse as you strive to live it daily. 

Text "JAMES" to 601-299-4493 to receive each week's theme verse.